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Baby names

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Original poster

Concerns with Charles

33 replies

TimTheTalkingClock · 05/09/2020 08:35

Hello, DS2 is due to pop out in a few weeks, and we’ve had Charles picked out for quite a while now - however have one concern with it. Our DS1 has always been James, never Jamie/Jim/Jimmy, so it possible for him not to become Charlie? I find it odd that Charles getting shortened to Charlie, seen as how it’s harder to say anyway. I don’t mind if he calls himself Charlie in future - but whilst young, is it possible for him to stay as a Charles like our other boy, seen as how it’s a really easy to say name anyway. Cheers Smile

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Crylittlesister · 05/09/2020 09:50

Last year, I taught a Charles, he was always known by his full name. The shortening of names tends to come later on from friends, but if you always call /refer to him by the full name, others should follow suit.

FelicityPike · 05/09/2020 09:48

If you keep correcting anyone who calls him Charlie or any other names, then he’ll be Charles. Go for it.

toria658 · 05/09/2020 09:46

It also gets shortened to Chas.

Flynn999 · 05/09/2020 09:45

My brother has a typically shortened name think Matthew/Edward etc, and he has always been the long version, he always introduces himself as such. he’s never been Matt/ed etc. I know quite a lot of people with typically shortened names and some go by longer versions some go for the short versions and they just introduce themselves as what they prefer to be called. I think when he gets to school, teachers may call him Charlie initially but by that age he will know that he’s Charles. When we registered my son for reception they asked for our child’s preferred name, in your case just say Charles.

micc · 05/09/2020 09:31

My OHs grandfather is Charles and everyone calls him Charlie... but I have a friend who is called Elizabeth and she prefers Elizabeth to any nick name so that's what we all call her! If you dont refer to him as anything else and try to remind family that's what you want no one will. At nursery they asked me what I would prefer to call my DD as her name comes with a couple nick names.

ivfbeenbusy · 05/09/2020 09:16

Charles is just a bit of a mouthful. EVERYONE will shorten it

You other son is still young - 100% guarantee his name will be shortened as he's older and especially as an adult

Shipwrecked2019 · 05/09/2020 08:47

You managed to make everyone stick to your preferred name for your first child so why would the second be an issue?

Modestandatinybitsexy · 05/09/2020 08:43

I find Charles harder to say than Charlie. I think it's all the consonant sounds close together at the end.

Charlie is a tempting shortening but I have a DN who was introduced as Danny from birth but then parents decided to go with Daniel and it's not hard to remember. You won't be able to control it at school though!